Blade adjustment apparatus
A blade adjustment apparatus for a V-plow is provided. A plow tower and a tower adjustment assembly pivotally coupled to the plow tower serve to maintain a lower edge of at least one V-plow blade in a substantially horizontal relationship to a working surface.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/073,241, filed Jun. 17, 2008. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,509, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/073,227, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/073,231, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/073,248, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/073,252, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,903, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,881, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,466, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,893, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,886, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,732, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,671, and U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 12/140,635, each filed Jun. 17, 2008 and each incorporated herein by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to material handling equipment, and more particularly to a plow with a hitch mechanism configured to be easily and quickly coupled to a vehicle and position V-plow blades relative to a work surface.
It is known that plows, for example snow plows, are bolted to supports which are typically welded to the chassis of a vehicle, for example a truck. It is also known that a plow support can be bolted to the chassis of a vehicle. Since plows typically weigh hundreds of pounds, positioning the plow for attachment to the vehicle can be difficult. It is particularly difficult to maneuver a snow plow in the cold and snow of winter.
It is also known to provide a V-Plow in which two blade segments are positioned in a V-shape with the blade segments swept to the rear. Where the blade segments come close together a gap exists through which material, such as snow, can move. It is known, for example, to overlap the blade segments or place a flexible covering in front of the gap. Such configurations are not satisfactory and need replacement or high maintenance activity.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a plow hitch mounting mechanism which is easy to maintain and that the process of connecting and disconnecting the plow to or from the vehicle is simple and easy to use by one person without assistance. It is also desirable to provide a V-plow having a minimum gap between the two V-plow segments and providing an adjustment apparatus to facilitate maintaining the blade bottom edges in horizontal alignment along their length.
The apparatus of the present disclosure must also be of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and it should also require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the apparatus of the present disclosure, it should also be of inexpensive construction to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages should be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention.
There is provided a snow plow which includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to a vehicle. The hitch frame nose assembly includes a chassis coupler secured at each end of a chassis tube with each chassis coupler including a traverse pin is configured to attach to the vehicle chassis. A plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion is coupled to a plow tower configured to support each of a first V-plow blade and a second V-plow blade pivotably coupled to the plow tower with a horizontal pivot pin. The plow tower is configured to support each of the V-plow blades for movement about a blade vertical pivot pin disposed in each of the first and second V-plow blades and the plow tower. A tower adjustment assembly is coupled to the plow tower and the plow frame, with the tower adjustment assembly configured to adjust the orientation of the two V-plow blades about the horizontal pivot pin. A lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame. The lift bar assembly includes a pair of notched members with each notched member aligned with a corresponding chassis coupler and configured to engage the traverse pin in each of the chassis couplers, wherein the snow plow is pivotably coupled to the vehicle. In another embodiment, the tower adjustment assembly includes an adjustment cushion plug positioned within an outer adjustment tube in an operative contact with an inner adjustment positioned within the outer adjustment tube, wherein upon compression of the adjustment cushion plug a force is transmitted to the inner adjustment tube and rotates the plow tower about the horizontal pivot pin.
The apparatus of the present disclosure is of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which will require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The apparatus of the present disclosure is also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives are achieved without incurring any substantial relative
There is further provided an apparatus to position V-plow blades relative to a work surface. A V-plow including a plow frame, a first blade and a second blade is configured with each blade rotable about a horizontal axis. The apparatus to position includes a tower coupled to each of the first and second blades with a horizontal pivot pin coaxial with the horizontal axis. The tower is also coupled to the plow frame, wherein the tower defines a vertical axis. A tower adjustment assembly is coupled to the tower and to the plow frame. The tower adjustment assembly includes an adjustment cushion plug. The adjustment cushion plug is configured to transmit a force through the tower adjustment assembly to rotate the tower about the horizontal axis and move the first and second blade to a horizontal position relative to the work surface.
These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which:
There is disclosed a snow plow 50 for mounting on a vehicle 60 with a quick connection/disconnect hitch 70 (more fully described below). The quick connect/disconnect hitch 70 facilitates the easy connection, i.e., without tools and disconnection of the snow plow 50 from the vehicle 60.
Referring to
Each chassis coupler 108 is a formed U-shaped channel with outward extending flanges. The flanges 110 are configured to provide a mounting surface for the chassis coupler 108 to facilitate coupling of the chassis coupler 108 to the vehicle chassis 60. Each flange 110 defines a plurality of apertures 112 to facilitate bolting of the chassis coupler 108 to the vehicle chassis 60. The apertures 112 may be configured as circles or slots. Each side 114 of each chassis coupler 108 further defines a pair of slots 116 extending longitudinally along and through each side 114 of the chassis coupler 108. The slots 116 facilitate the coupling of the hitch frame tube 102 to each of the chassis couplers 108 comprising the hitch frame nose assembly 100. Each chassis coupler 108 may be provided with slots 116 on each side 114 of the chassis coupler 108 to facilitate manufacturing and assembly by providing commonality of parts. Each chassis coupler 108 is also provided with an end-stop coupled to each of the flanges 110 proximate the front end 120 of the chassis coupler 108. The end-stop 118 assists in positioning the chassis coupler 108 on the vehicle chassis 60. Each chassis coupler 108 also defines a substantially V-shaped notch 122 to accommodate a lock hook pivot more fully described below. Each chassis coupler 108 also includes a traverse pin 124 which extends through both sides 114 of the chassis coupler 108. Traverse pin 124 is secured to the chassis coupler 108 by a nut threadingly fastened to the traverse pin 104. The nut may further be welded to the chassis coupler 108 to further secure the traverse pin 124. A portion 128 of the traverse pin extends beyond the side 114 of the chassis coupler 108 and is configured to engage a locking hook more fully described below.
The lift bar assembly 130 includes a pair of lift bar support members 132 maintained in a spaced apart relationship and coupled to a lift bar approximate the top of each lift bar support member 132. A light bar brace 136 approximate the lower end of each lift bar support member 132 facilitates maintenance of the spaced apart relationship of the lift bar support member 132. A pair of lift bar lugs 138 are coupled to each lift bar support member 132 approximate the light bar brace 136. (Also see
Referring to
Each notch member 146 includes a pair of tapered side members 148 with each tapered side member 148 defining a notch 150. Each notch 150 is configured to engage the traverse pin 124 positioned between the two sides 114 of each chassis coupler 108. Each notch member 146 also includes a plate member 152 fastened to the top portion of each of the tapered side members 148, typically by welding a plate member 150 to each tapered side member 148. The plate member provides additional reinforcement for the notch member 146 and defines with the two tapered side members 148 an inverted U-shape assembly. With the notch member 146 engaged with the chassis coupler 108 the pivot for the quick connect/disconnect hitch 70 formed by the engagement of the notch 150 with the traverse pin 124 is enclosed within the two facing u-shaped assemblies.
Each notched member 146 further includes a locking hook 154 pivotally coupled to a hook pivot 156. The hook pivot 156 extends through each of the tapered side members 148 of each notch member 146. The locking hook 154 moves about the hook pivot 156 in response to movement of the hitch locking lever 158 as the hitch locking lever 158 moves about a lever pivot 160. The hitch locking lever 158 is coupled to the locking hook 154 by a lock linkage 162. The operation of the locking mechanism 144 will be explained below.
The orientation of the locking hook 154 and the notch member 146 is such that when the notch member 146 is inserted into the chassis coupler 108 the locking hook is positioned outside of the unshaped chassis coupler 108 and positioned to selectively engage the portion 128 of the traverse pin 124 that extends beyond the side 114 of the chassis coupler 108. It should be understood that there is a locking hook 154 on each of the notch members 146 which engages the traverse pin 124 extending beyond the side 114 of each of the chassis couplers 108 that are part of the hitch frame nose assembly 100. The locking hook 154 locks the lift bar assembly 130 to the hitch frame nose assembly 100.
Locking mechanism 144 also includes a lock support bracket 164 which is coupled to each of the lift bar support members 132. A preferred embodiment provides that a pair of lock support brackets 164 are coupled to each side of the corresponding lift bar support member 132. (
The operation of coupling the quick connect/disconnect hitch 70 to the vehicle chassis 60 will now be described with reference to
To complete the locking maneuver of the locking mechanism 144, the hitch locking lever 158 is moved to a second locked position 178 which forces the hitch locking lever 158 to move over center of the lever pivot 160 as illustrated in
As described above, the locking mechanism 144 includes a lock hook 154 on each side of the lift bar assembly 130 and are coupled together to simultaneously operate with movement of the hitch locking lever 158.
The lift bar assembly 130 is coupled to a plow frame 170. The lift bar assembly 130 is provided with a pair of lift bar lugs 138 coupled to the lift bar brace 136 and to each of the lock support brackets 164 on both sides of the lift bar assembly 130 (see
A plow frame 170 is configured substantially in the form of a letter A with the plow frame 170 including a front portion 175 and a rear portion 177. The plow frame 170 includes two side member 196, 198 which form the sides of the A-shape with a traverse brace tube 200 coupled to each of the side members 196, 198. A tower traverse brace tube 354 is also coupled to each of the side members 196, 198 and positioned in a spaced apart distance from the traverse brace tube 200 proximate the front portion 175 of the plow frame 170. The side members 196, 198, the tower traverse brace tube 354, and the traverse brace tube 200 are conventional steel square tubing, however, it is contemplated that other cross-section configured tubes, for example circular or triangular, can be used. Coupled to the front portion 175 of the plow frame 170 are a pair of horizontal blade pivot brackets 350. The brackets 350 are coupled to the respective side member 196, 198 and the tower traverse brace tube 354. Each of the brackets 350 defines an orifice 352 configured to receive a horizontal blade pivot pin 370.
A pair of lower tower adjustment brackets 354 are coupled, for example by welding, to the tower traverse brace tube 354. A lower trip spring bracket 416 is coupled to the lower tower adjustment brackets 354. See
Coupled to the traverse brace tube 200 are lift cylinder mounts 206. Lift cylinder mounts 206 are aligned to couple the lower end of the lift cylinder 142 which is coupled to the upper lift cylinder mount 140 on the lift bar 134.
Each of the side members 196, 198 of the plow frame 170 include an adjustment lug 172 at the rear portion 177 of the plow frame 170. Each adjustment lug 172 includes a plurality of orifices 179 aligned vertically and configured to receive a bolt 232 which will couple the plow frame 170 to the lift bar lugs 138 on the lift bar assembly 130. As best seen in
Referring now to
The plow tower 362 is an assembly of two side plates 364 which are maintained in a triangular configuration by a top plate 372, a lower plate 374 and a pair of intermediate plates 376 as best illustrated in
A first V-plow blade 386 and a second V-plow blade 388 are coupled together with a blade vertical pivot pin 390 which is received in each of the blade upper vertical pivot tube 380 and lower vertical pivot tube 382. A blade pivot pin tower strap 398 is coupled to the blade vertical pivot pin 390 and the top plate 372 of the plow tower 362.
In a preferred embodiment the blade vertical pivot pin 390 is welded to the blade pivot pin tower strap 398. The orientation of the two V-plow blades 386 and 388 and the vertical pivot tubes 380 and 382 as seen at least in
Each of the V-plow blades 386, 388 include a V-blade actuator 424 which moves each of the V-plow blades 386, 388 into positions as determined by an operator of the snow plow 50.
Each of the V-plow blade actuators 424 include a pair of blade swing cylinder brackets 396 which are coupled to the respective V-plow blades 386, 388. One end of the swing cylinder 418 is coupled to the blade swing cylinder bracket 396 by a cylinder pivot pin 420. Another end of the swing cylinder 418 is coupled between each of the intermediate plates 376 by the V-blade swing cylinder pin 422. A fluid supply system (not shown) is coupled to each of the swing cylinders and other power actuators related to the snow plow 50. A preferred embodiment utilizes hydraulic fluid and cylinders.
Each of the swing cylinders 418 can move each of the V-plow blades 386, 388 into various configurations as determined by an operator of the snow plow 50.
It should be noted that in each of the exemplary illustrated plow blade configurations shown in
The tower adjustment assembly 400 includes a tower adjustment bracket 402 which is in a substantial T-shape. The top portion of the T-shape tower adjustment bracket 402 is coupled to an outer adjustment tube 406 at one end of the outer adjustment tube 406 and the lower portion of the T-shaped tower adjustment bracket 402 is also coupled to the outer adjustment tube 406 and is pivotally coupled to the plow tower 362 at the upper tower adjustment bracket 366 (see
In operation, for example, as the adjustment bolt 412 is turned, clockwise, into the inner and outer adjustment tube assembly the adjustment bolt 412 pushes against the adjustment cushion plug 408 transmitting a force that forces the V-plow blades 386, 388 to pivot about the horizontal pivot pin 370 as illustrated schematically in
As illustrated in
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or the two components and any additional member being attached to one another. Such adjoining may be permanent in nature or alternatively be removable or releasable in nature.
Although the foregoing description of a quick connect/disconnect hitch and a plow with independently moveable wings has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the hitch or plow as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
Claims
1. A V-plow, comprising: wherein upon compression of the adjustment cushion plug with the adjustment bolt a force is transmitted to the inner adjustment tube, rotating the plow tower about the horizontal axis and moving the two V-plow blades to a position.
- a first V-plow blade;
- a second V-plow blade; said first and second V-plow blades having a horizontal axis; and
- a plow tower coupled to each of the V-plow blades and including a tower adjustment assembly; said tower adjustment assembly comprising an inner adjustment tube, partially telescopically inserted into an outer adjustment tube; the outer adjustment tube pivotally coupled to the plow tower of the V-plow and coupled to a tower adjustment bracket; an adjustment cushion plug configured to fit within the inner diameter of the outer adjustment tube; the adjustment cushion plug positioned within the outer adjustment tube in operative contact with the inner adjustment tube; and an adjustment bolt threadingly coupled to the adjustment cushion plug;
2. The V-plow of claim 1, wherein the tower adjustment assembly is substantially T-shaped.
3. The V-plow of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of trip springs coupled to the tower adjustment bracket and configured to bias the plow tower during operation of the V-plow.
4. The V-plow of claim 3, wherein the plurality of trip springs are configured to return at least one blade of the V-plow to an operative configuration of the blade.
5. The V-plow of claim 1, wherein the adjustment bolt is configured to maintain a lower edge of at least one of the V-plow blades in a substantially horizontal relationship to a working surface.
6. The V-plow of claim 1, wherein the adjustment bolt is configured such that upon tightening of the adjustment bolt, the adjustment cushion plug is compressed and the plow tower rotates in a first direction about the horizontal axis, and upon loosening of the adjustment bolt, the adjustment cushion plug is decompressed and the plow tower rotates in a second direction, opposite the first direction, about the horizontal axis.
7. A method for maintaining blades of a V-plow in a substantially horizontal relationship to a working surface, the V-plow including a first V-plow blade and a second V-plow blade, each pivotally coupled to a plow tower with a horizontal pivot pin, the method comprising: wherein the compressing causes the V-plow blades to rotate about the horizontal pivot pin in a first direction.
- providing a tower adjustment assembly, the tower adjustment assembly including an outer adjustment tube and an adjustment cushion plug;
- configuring the adjustment cushion plug within the outer adjustment tube;
- coupling the outer adjustment tube to the plow tower;
- compressing the adjustment cushion plug;
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising decompressing the adjustment cushion plug;
- wherein the decompressing causes the V-plow blade to rotate about the horizontal pivot pin in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising using an adjustment bolt to compress the adjustment cushion plug.
10. A tower adjustment assembly for a snow plow, the snow plow including a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle, the hitch frame nose assembly including a chassis coupler secured at each end of a chassis tube with each chassis coupler including a traverse pin and configured to attach to the vehicle chassis, a plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion, and a first V-plow blade and a second V-plow blade, each pivotally coupled to a plow tower with a horizontal pivot pin, the plow tower configured to support each of the V-plow blades for movement about a blade vertical pivot pin disposed in each of the first and second V-plow blade and the plow tower, the a tower adjustment assembly comprising:
- an inner adjustment tube, partially telescopically inserted into an outer adjustment tube; the outer adjustment tube pivotally coupled to the plow tower of the V-plow and coupled to a tower adjustment bracket;
- an adjustment cushion plug configured to fit within the diameter of the outer adjustment tube; the adjustment cushion plug positioned within the outer adjustment tube in operative contact with the inner adjustment tube;
- a bolt bracket, the bolt bracket coupled to the tower adjustment bracket;
- an adjustment bolt; the adjustment cushion plug positioned between the inner adjustment tube and the adjustment bolt; the adjustment bolt threadingly coupled to the adjustment cushion plug through the bolt bracket; wherein upon compression of the adjustment cushion plug a force is transmitted to the inner adjustment tube, rotating the plow tower about the horizontal pivot pin.
11. The tower adjustment assembly of claim 10, wherein the tower adjustment bracket is substantially T-shaped.
12. The tower adjustment assembly of claim 10, wherein the adjustment cushion plug is composed of a high density material.
13. The tower adjustment assembly for a snow plow of claim 12, wherein the high density material is polyurethane.
14. The tower adjustment assembly of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of trip springs coupled to the tower adjustment pivot bracket and configured to bias the plow tower during operation of the V-plow.
15. The tower adjustment assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of trip springs are configured to return at least one blade of the V-plow to an operative configuration of the blade.
16. The tower adjustment assembly of claim 10, wherein the adjustment bolt is configured to maintain a lower edge of at least one V-plow blade in a substantially horizontal relationship to a working surface.
17. The tower adjustment assembly of claim 10, wherein the adjustment bolt is configured such that upon tightening of the adjustment bolt, the adjustment cushion plug is compressed and the plow tower rotates in a first direction about the horizontal pivot pin, and upon loosening of the adjustment bolt, the adjustment cushion plug is decompressed and the plow tower rotates in a second direction, opposite the first direction, about the horizontal pivot pin.
18. An apparatus to position V-plow blades relative to a work surface, a V-plow including a plow frame, a first blade and a second blade, each blade rotatable about a horizontal axis, the apparatus to position comprising:
- a tower coupled to each of the first and second blade with a horizontal pivot pin co-axial with the horizontal axis, and the plow frame, wherein the tower defines a vertical axis; and
- a tower adjustment assembly coupled to the tower and to the plow frame, the tower adjustment assembly including an adjustment cushion plug, wherein the adjustment cushion plug is configured to transmit a force through the tower adjustment assembly to rotate the tower about the horizontal axis and move the first and second blade to a horizontal position relative to the work surface.
19. The apparatus to position of claim 18, wherein the tower adjustment assembly includes an inner adjustment tube and an outer adjustment tube telescopically coupled together and configured to receive the adjustment cushion plug, with the adjustment cushion plug coupled to an adjustment bolt configured to move the adjustment cushion plug within the outer adjustment tube against the inner adjustment tube.
20. The apparatus to position of claim 19, wherein the adjustment bolt is configured such that upon tightening of the adjustment bolt, the adjustment cushion plug is compressed and the plow tower rotates in a first direction about the horizontal axis, and upon loosening of the adjustment bolt, the adjustment cushion plug is decompressed and the plow tower rotates in a second direction, opposite the first direction about the horizontal axis.
21. The apparatus to position of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of trip springs coupled to the tower and the plow frame and configured to bias the plow tower toward the plow frame.
22. The apparatus to position of claim 18, including an actuator coupled to the adjustment bolt and configured to move the bolt a select direction.
23. The apparatus to position of claim 22, wherein the actuator is one of a manual actuator and powered actuator.
24. The apparatus to position of claim 23, wherein the powered actuator is one of a pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder and an electric motor.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 16, 2009
Date of Patent: Nov 23, 2010
Patent Publication Number: 20090308623
Assignee: Sno-Way International, Inc. (Hartford, WI)
Inventors: Timothy G. Koch (Slinger, WI), Robert N. Gamble, II (Watertown, WI), Jacob R. Brehmer (Hartford, WI)
Primary Examiner: Robert E Pezzuto
Attorney: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
Application Number: 12/485,351
International Classification: E01H 5/04 (20060101);